How Does An Abortion Pill Work

Abortion pills, scientifically referred to as mifeprex (mifepristone) and misoprostol, can medically terminate a pregnancy. Medication abortions are often the go-to method during the primary trimester. “Reasons someone might choose a medicine abortion include eager to avoid a procedure within the clinic with more instrumentation, or the will to finish the abortion reception or during a more private space,” explains Rebecca Taub, M.D., a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health and an Ob-Gyn in Washington.

Here’s everything you would like to understand about how abortion pills work and what to expect once you undergo a medicine abortion.

What Is the Abortion Pill?
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), women can safely use mifeprex and misoprostol during the primary 70 days of pregnancy. More specifically, the abortion pills are often taken within 10 weeks of the missed menstrual period. The FDA has approved a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for the medication, meaning it should be taken under supervision of a professional healthcare provider, clinic, medical office, or hospital.

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According to the FDA, you would possibly not be a candidate for the RU 486 if you’re anemic, you’re taking medication for a blood-clotting condition, you’ve got an IUD, or the pregnancy is older than 10 weeks. you ought to also avoid abortion pills if you’re experiencing an extrauterine pregnancy , during which the fetus grows outside of the uterus.

How To Take Abortion Pills
So how does the RU 486 work? First, your healthcare provider will conduct blood or urine tests to verify the pregnancy, if you haven’t already done so. Then she is going to perform a checkup and ultrasound to form sure the pregnancy isn’t ectopic. Finally, she’ll explain the medication abortion procedure and provides written instructions. “But these details differ supported where you reside and your doctor, so please consult your medical provider to urge the specifics,” advises Dr. Taub.

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Two separate pills are required for a medicine abortion: mifeprex (mifepristone) and misoprostol.

Mifeprex: the primary dose is 200 mg of mifeprex taken orally. Mifeprex blocks the pregnancy hormone progesterone, which is required to support healthy gestation. The pill causes the liner of the uterus to thin and shed.

Misoprostol: Within 72 hours, you’ll take 800 mcg of misoprostol buccally (in the cheek). Misoprostol stimulates uterine contractions to expel the embryo and gestational sac, thus ending the developing pregnancy.

Many women take mifeprex within the clinic and misoprostol reception , although this varies consistent with preference and state law. you would possibly even be given antibiotics to stop infection. Pregnancy should terminate within a couple of days of taking misoprostol.

About fortnight after taking abortion pills, you’ll return to your healthcare provider for a follow-up visit. An partial abortion may cause infection, so it’s important to urge verified . Those with a failed abortion may have to require another dose of abortion pills. Alternately, you would possibly got to undergo an in-clinic surgical abortion, which is particularly likely if the pregnancy is beyond 10 weeks old. Surgical procedures include manual suction curettage (MVA) and dilation and evacuation (D&E).

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How Effective is that the Abortion Pill?
The RU 486 is about 94-98% effective within the first eight weeks of pregnancy, meaning it fails about two to 6 out of 100 times, consistent with Planned Parenthood. Medication abortions also becomes less successful as a pregnancy progresses. for instance , they’re about 95% effective eight to nine weeks into the pregnancy and 92% effective nine to 10 weeks into the pregnancy.

Abortion Pill Side Effects
How long does one bleed after RU 486 , and what are the common side effects? the primary pill, mifeprex, doesn’t usually cause symptoms, although light bleeding and nausea are possible. On the opposite hand, misoprostol creates intense side effects because the embryo expels from the body.

Within a couple of hours of taking misoprostol, you’ll experience bleeding that resembles an important period – usually amid large clots which will reach the dimensions of a lemon, consistent with Planned Parenthood. The bleeding will probably last four or five hours. you’ll also get cramping, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea, or mild fever. Anti-nausea medication and ibuprofen may help control these RU 486 side effects.

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Most people feel better within a couple of days of taking abortion pills. However, alittle percentage report more serious symptoms. the most concern is an partial abortion , which can cause infection. Rarely, women may experience blood clots within the uterus, extremely heavy bleeding, or an allergy .

Call your doctor immediately if you’ve got super-heavy bleeding (soaking through quite two pads in two hours) or no bleeding 24 hours after taking the second RU 486 . Also let your doctor realize blood clots that last for quite a couple of hours, high fever (greater than 100.4 degrees), and abdominal issues that reach past 24 hours of taking the pill.

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Recovering After the RU 486
Your menstrual period should return within two months of pregnancy termination. You’ll probably got to abstain from sexual activity for one or fortnight , and you would possibly be advised against using tampons. Mifeprex and misoprostol won’t affect your future fertility or pregnancies.

Women may experience a good range of emotions after taking the RU 486 , including relief, guilt, anger, sadness, and more. All of those responses are normal. Speak to your doctor or a psychological state professional for help sorting through these emotions.]

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